What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can come in without causing any problems. However, they often become impacted, meaning they get stuck under the gum line and never break through.
Wisdom teeth are so-called because they typically emerge later than other teeth when people are considered wiser and more mature. In some cases, wisdom teeth never come in at all. However, even if they don’t cause any immediate problems, wisdom teeth can be more prone to developing cavities or becoming infected, so it’s essential to see a dentist regularly for checkups.
Why Do I Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?
We are pretty sure that everyone has heard of wisdom teeth, but many aren’t sure what they are there or why they need to be taken out. Once all of our baby teeth fall out, and our permanent teeth grow in, it is standard to have two back molars on each side and top and bottom. Wisdom teeth are a third back molar that can erupt around ages 17-25. But why do they need to be removed? Depending on your mouth and teeth, there are many different reasons why it would be best to remove wisdom teeth, including:
- Once or if your wisdom teeth erupt, they have little to no room to grow in fully. The wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding resulting in crooked teeth due to pushing on the surrounding teeth.
- Due to the limited space wisdom teeth have to grow, in some cases, they can start growing crooked and put other molars at risk of damage.
- Slightly erupted teeth have a high chance of bacterial infection, leading to swelling of the gums, pain, and harm to the jaw bone.
Although it is common to get wisdom teeth removed due to the pain, infections, and problems that could occur, some don’t need them removed. Our dentist can help you determine if removal would be beneficial or not.
Symptoms of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth
You may ask yourself, “Is my wisdom tooth impacted?” or “How do I know if my wisdom tooth is impacted?” These are great questions. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause several problems, including pain, swelling, and infection. If you think you might have an impacted wisdom tooth, you must see your dentist for an evaluation. We will be able to take x-rays and determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth and whether or not we may need to remove them. Other symptoms include:
- Swelling or redness in the gums
- Headache or discomfort in the jaw
- Bleeding gums
- Halitosis and a bad taste in the mouth
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
A moderately impacted wisdom tooth may partially emerge, revealing parts of the crown, or it may never break through the gums (fully impacted). The tooth, whether totally or partially impacted, may:
- Grow at an angle toward the adjacent tooth.
- Grow at an angle with the roof of your mouth.
- Grow at a right angle to the neighboring teeth, appearing to “lay down” in the jawbone.
- Grow straight up or down, but they cannot erupt out of the jawbone.
Speak to a Professional About Wisdom Teeth Removal in Farmington, UT
Deciding to remove your or your family members’ wisdom teeth is an important decision. We want you to make the decision after being educated on the procedure and aftercare. Our team at Station Park Dental in Farmington would love to answer any questions you may have about the wisdom teeth removal procedure.
